RED BANK – The New Jersey Department of Education has completed a review of the Red Bank Charter School that included, but was not limited to, the school’s renewal application, annual reports, student performance on statewide assessments, a structured interview with school officials, public comments, student composition of the school and the fiscal impact on the sending district (Red Bank Borough Public Schools) to render its decision of renewal.
On Feb. 2, the Department of Education renewed the Red Bank Charter School for another five-year term, according to a press release from the school.
The state’s renewal “demonstrates that we continue to provide an excellent public educational option to families in our community. For 23 years, Red Bank Charter School has provided our diverse families with an excellent, student-centered academic experience and is a part of the educational fabric in Red Bank,” charter school officials were quoted as saying in the press release.
“Red Bank Charter School is here to stay and will continue to provide a much needed public school option for many years to come. Despite the heated rancor surrounding the renewal process, Red Bank Charter School wants to find a path forward where all families’ educational choices are respected.
“We are committed to working with our partners at Red Bank Borough Public Schools to end the divisiveness and lift up all children in our beloved community.
“Just last week, Red Bank Charter School announced being designated as a 2022 State School of Character by Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character. Red Bank Charter School is one of 16 New Jersey schools to receive this distinguished honor among 67 schools nationally,” charter school officials said.
Kristen Martello, Red Bank Charter School Head of School, said, “For Red Bank Charter School, the development of character has been intrinsic to our mission since the school’s founding in 1998 by emphasizing three bedrock beliefs: All Children can Learn; All Children Must Care for Themselves and Others; and All Children Should Contribute to Their Larger World. We are extremely proud to be honored with this distinction.”
Every year, Character.org certifies schools and districts at the state level that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development, which has a positive effect on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate, according to the press release.
Red Bank Charter School and the other schools designated by Character.org will be considered for Character.org’s highest distinction: National School of Character. The National School of Character honorees will be announced in May.
Red Bank Charter School is a public charter school that educates 200 Red Bank children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, according to the press release.
